Love, Anyway

The 4th Sunday in Advent This is the Sunday we have been anticipating for a year! Alex Bootzin and 4 other musicians will grace our service with beautiful jazz renditions of our favorite carols!

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. It symbolizes Love, marking the final week of preparation before Christmas, focusing on God’s immense love in sending Jesus, the fulfillment of prophecy, and preparing hearts to receive him as the ultimate gift. It’s a call to open our hearts, reflect on selfless love, and be filled with God’s presence as Christmas approaches, transitioning from preparation to celebration. The title of the sermon this week is: “Love, Anyway”. The gospel text is from Matthew 1: 18-25. Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth focuses on the role of Joseph, who adopts the divinely-begotten child into the family of David and obediently gives him the name Jesus, which means “God saves.”

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP

Prelude: Infant Holy, Infant Lowly; What Child is This?; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Welcome

Gathering Songs: ELW 283 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; ELW 283 O Come All Ye Faithful; ELW 289 Angels we Have Heard on High Apostolic Greeting

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16

Special Music: Arbol De Navidad (O Christmas Tree)

Gospel Acclamation Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-23

Children’s Time

Sermon: Love, Anyway

Songs of Response: ELW 277 Away in a Manger; ELW 279 O Little Town of Bethlehem;

Prayers of the Church

Congregational Announcements

Offertory

Carol of the Bells (Instrumental)

Holy Communion Story

The Lord’s Prayer

Communion Distribution ELW 272 Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming ELW 294 In The Bleak Midwinter

Post-Communion Blessing

Sending Prayer

Benediction

Sending Songs: ELW 282 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (vs 1 & 4) ELW 270 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (vs 1 & 3)

Dismissal

Postlude ELW 267 Joy to the World